Running-board brace



R. 0 DUTCHERAND G. HOPE.

RUNNING BOARD BRACE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29. 1920.

1,380,046. Patented May 31,1921.

-A:- I E\M 8 ///////////////A v r i z 1 ZINVENTORS ROBE/5 7 0.007075192050965 f7 OPE W I By 76 ATTORNEY.

g TA T" -Arsr ROBERT o. BUTCHER nneeonennore, or MOROCCO, INDIANA; SAIDHorn assrenon TO SAID BUTCHER.

RUNNING-BOARD Janeen.

ssaoaee To all who m" may concern:

Be it known that Va-Roman O. DUTOHER and GEORGE I Iorncitizens of theUnited States, residing at Morocco, inthe county of' Newton and StateofIndiana, have nvented certain new and useful Improvements inRunning-Board Braces;' and we do hereby declare the following to be ,afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as." willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse.the same;

The present invention relates to means for bracing the running boards ofa Ford or similar automobile, whereby to sustain them in position in aneffective and substantial manner, and the invention has for its objectthe provision of a simple and efiicient bracing device of that characterwhich can be quickly applied, and having a novel assemblage of thecomponent elements.

Another object is the provision of braces or brackets to be. carried bythe side members of the vehicle frame for supporting the running boards,and a transverse tie bar or cross member assembled with said braces in anovel manner, whereby to brace the running boards one from the other.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent asthe description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction andarrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, it beingunderstood that changes'can be made within the scope of what is claimedwithout departing from the spiritof the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure1 is a fragmentary elevation of a Ford or similar automobile chassisshowing the bracing structure applied to the frame and running boards.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing one brace or bracket and thecorresponding tie bar in end view.

The device is shown as being applied to a Ford automobile, although itcan be used similarly on other motor vehicles for which it is suited,and the automobile as shown includes the longitudinal side members orbeams 4 of the frame, and the running boards 5.

In carrying out the invention, the running boards 5 are supported bybraces or brackets 6, provided with attachingportions 7 bearing againstthe frame members '4 and-secured thereto bymeans of bolts 8 or the like.The braces Gare curved downwardly,

and at theirlower ends have arms 9 eXtend- I Qning board, whereby toclamp the running 7 board on said arms, and the braces are pro vided attheir lower ends with studs 12 depending therefrom-below the arms 9 andhaving nuts 13 screw threaded thereon.

The braces 6 are arranged inpairs at the Specification of LettersPatent. Patnt d M 3L 192 1 jApplicationfi led January 29,1920. Serialno, 5

opposite sides of the frame, and each pair is 1 connected by atransverse tie bar or cross -member 14, preferably of channel shape orsection with its flanges depending. The lower sides of the arms 9 areinclined, and the end portions of the side bars 14 are similarlyinclined, as at 15, to bear upwardly against and overlap the lowersurfaces of said arms, and said end portions 15 have apertures 16 toreglster with the apertures 10 for the reception of bolts 11, whereby toclamp the running boards, arms 9 and portions 15 together. The tie bars14 are further provided with transverse slots 17 for the passage of thestuds 12, so that the nuts 13 can be threaded on said studs for securingand clamping the tie bar upwardly against the braces. V

In assembling, the tie bars 14 can be secured to the braces, before therunning boards are secured on the arms 9, by placing said bars inposition with the studs 12 extending downwardly through the slots 17,and the nuts 15 can then be applied for supporting said bars. The barscan be adjusted transversely of themselves, by the provision of theslots 17, to bring the apertures 16 into as at 18, between the rearbraces to provide clearance for the brake rods 19.

The present structure can be used in place of the ordinary braces of therunning boards, or can be used in conjunction therewith, whichever isdesired. 4

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is V 1. Arunning board bracing structure comprising a pair of braces having arms-for supporting running boards, a tie bar having portions to bearupwardly against said arms in overlapping relation, and said braceshaving means for engaging said tie bar and clamping same upwardlyagainst said arms.

2. A running board bracing structure comprising a pair of braces havingrunning boards supporting arms, and depending studs, a tie bar havingportions to bear upwardly against said arms in overlapping relation, andslots studs, and means on the studs for clamping for the passage of saidI said portions of the bar upwardly against said arms.

3. A running board bracing structure comprising a pair of braces havingoutstanding arms and studs depending below said arms, a tie bar havingportions to bear upwardly against said arms and having transverse slotsfor the passage of said studs, said portions of the bar and arms havingapertures adapted to register for the reception of securing elements toclamp the running boards on said arms,-and means on said studs forclamping said portions of the bar against said arms.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ROBERT O. BUTCHER.

GEORGE HOPE. Witnesses:

HARRY SELLERS, J. C. MURPHEY.

